U.S. patent application number 12/381373 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of face masks or tracheal tubes, with improved wearability.
Invention is credited to Maurizio Borsari.
Application Number | 20090235928 12/381373 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40292886 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090235928 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Borsari; Maurizio |
September 24, 2009 |
Helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of face masks or
tracheal tubes, with improved wearability
Abstract
A helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of face
masks or tracheal tubes, with improved wearability comprises un
body (12) for containing the head of the patient and a neck collar
(13, 113)--for forming an airtight sealing around the patient's
neck--made of plastic flexible material, a plurality of fittings
(14) fixed onto the container body (12) for the connection of a
ventilation apparatus, accessories (15) and for releasing air, the
neck collar (13, 113) being directly connected to a lower end of
the container body (12), wherein the container body (12) and the
neck collar (13, 113) are entirely made of flexible material and
thus free of rigid structural elements.
Inventors: |
Borsari; Maurizio;
(Mirandola (Modena), IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEDMAN & COSTIGAN P.C.
1185 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
40292886 |
Appl. No.: |
12/381373 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12152459 |
May 14, 2008 |
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12381373 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
128/201.23 ;
128/205.26; 2/171.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/0627 20140204;
A61M 16/06 20130101; A61M 16/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/201.23 ;
2/171.3; 128/205.26 |
International
Class: |
A62B 18/04 20060101
A62B018/04; A42B 3/28 20060101 A42B003/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 13, 2008 |
IT |
MI2008A 000427 |
Claims
1. Helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of face masks
or tracheal tubes, with improved wearability comprising a body (12)
for containing the head of the patient and a neck collar (13,
113)--for forming an airtight sealing around the patient's
neck--made of plastic flexible material, a plurality of fittings
(14) fixed onto said container body (12) for the connection of a
ventilation apparatus, accessories (15) and for releasing air,
characterised in that said neck collar (13, 113) is directly
connected to a lower end of said container body (12), the container
body (12) and the neck collar (13, 113) being entirely made of
flexible material and thus free of rigid structural elements.
2. Helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of face masks
or tracheal tubes, with improved wearability comprising a body (12)
for containing the head of the patient and a neck collar (113)--for
forming an airtight sealing around the patient's neck--made of
plastic flexible material, a plurality of fittings (14) for the
connection of a ventilation apparatus, accessories (15) and for
releasing air, characterised in that said neck collar (113)
comprises a substantially cylindrical sleeve (19) constrained at an
upper end to said container body (12) and provided at a lower end
with a sliding closure device, or coulisse device, comprising a
circumferential pocket (16), a cord (17) sliding into said pocket
(16) and a button (18) for closing the ends of said cord (17).
3. Helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of face masks
or tracheal tubes, with improved wearability comprising a body (12)
for containing the head of the patient and a neck collar (13,
113)--for forming an airtight sealing around the patient's
neck--made of plastic flexible material, a plurality of fittings
(14) for the connection of a ventilation apparatus, accessories
(15) and for releasing air, characterised in that said container
body (12) comprising at least one pair of eyelets, or rings, (120)
made of plastic material, said rings (120) being fixed onto an
upper portion of said container body (12) for connecting the
fastening elements (21) to discharge the upward thrust of the
helmet.
4. Helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of face masks
or tracheal tubes, with improved wearability comprising a body (12)
for containing the head of the patient and a neck collar (13,
113)--for forming an airtight sealing around the patient's
neck--made of plastic flexible material, a plurality of fittings
(14) for the connection of a ventilation apparatus, accessories
(15) and for releasing air, characterised in that it comprises
means for constraining at least one counterweight (22) adapted to
counteract the upward thrust on the helmet.
5. Helmet according to claim 4 characterised in that said
constraint means are hooks (23) projecting outwards the helmet (10)
and positioned on a structurally rigid ring (11) arranged between
said container body (12) and said sealing neck collar (13,
113).
6. Helmet according to claim 5 characterised in that said hooks
(23) comprise at least two parallel arms for the firm positioning
of a counterweight (22).
7. Helmet according to claim 1, characterised in that said
container body (12) comprises at least one pair of eyelets, or
rings, (20) made of plastic material fixed onto opposite points of
the circumference of the container body (12) for connecting the
fastening elements (21) to discharge the upward thrust of the
helmet.
8. Helmet according to claim 2, characterised in that said
container body (12) comprises at least one pair of eyelets, or
rings, (20) made of plastic material fixed onto opposite points of
the circumference of the container body (12) for connecting the
fastening elements (21) to discharge the upward thrust of the
helmet.
9. Helmet according to claim 3, characterised in that said
container body (12) comprises at least one pair of eyelets, or
rings, (20) made of plastic material fixed onto opposite points of
the circumference of the container body (12) for connecting the
fastening elements (21) to discharge the upward thrust of the
helmet.
10. Helmet according to claim 4, characterised in that said
container body (12) comprises at least one pair of eyelets, or
rings, (20) made of plastic material fixed onto opposite points of
the circumference of the container body (12) for connecting the
fastening elements (21) to discharge the upward
11. Helmet according to claim 1, characterised in that said neck
collar (13) is made of elastically yielding plastic material for
forming an airtight sealing around the patient's neck.
12. Helmet according to claim 3, characterised in that said neck
collar (13) is made of elastically yielding plastic material for
forming an airtight sealing around the patient's neck.
13. Helmet according to claim 4, characterised in that said neck
collar (13) is made of elastically yielding plastic material for
forming an airtight sealing around the patient's neck.
14. Helmet according to claim 1, characterised in that said
container body (12) and said neck collar (13, 113) are made in a
single piece made of the same material.
15. Helmet according to claim 2, characterised in that said
container body (12) and said neck collar (13, 113) are made in a
single piece made of the same material.
16. Helmet according to claim 3, characterised in that said
container body (12) and said neck collar (13, 113) are made in a
single piece made of the same material.
17. Helmet according to claim 4, characterised in that said
container body (12) and said neck collar (13, 113) are made in a
single piece made of the same material.
Description
[0001] The present invention refers to a helmet for artificial
respiration without the aid of face masks or tracheal tubes, with
improved wearability.
[0002] Helmets for artificial respiration, comprising a container
body made of plastic flexible material and provided with a neck
collar applied to hold the head of the patient are currently used
often--as an alternative to the face masks or tracheal tubes--in
oxygen therapy and in the continuous positive pressure ventilation,
the so-called CPAP, or in the Non-invasive ventilation, the
so-called NIV.
[0003] The helmet can be connected to a ventilation machine and it
is provided with at least one air outlet.
[0004] The abovementioned ventilation techniques are for example
performed in the resuscitation units, intensive care units,
pneumology, in the infectious diseases units, general medicine
units, as well as in the hyperbaric chambers, as well as in home
treatment.
[0005] The main problems concerning helmets of the known type
regards the requirement of a plurality of sizes, the need of two
people, i.e. four hands, for wearing and removing it, the
wearability of the same on patients who, additionally, are in
critical conditions. Furthermore, the helmet must be, worn by the
patient also for long periods of time both in sitting position and
in a position lying on a bed.
[0006] The helmets must be fittable onto the head of the patient
and fastenable around the neck of the same, as well as removable,
in a quick manner and causing least discomfort possible to the
patient who is already in pain.
[0007] Source of discomfort to the patient are the armpit straps,
which are constrained to the helmet and hold it in position on the
head of the patient operating against the pressure that would tend
to raise it.
[0008] An object of the present invention is that of providing a
helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of face masks or
tracheal tubes, with improved wearability, capable of overcoming
the abovementioned drawbacks of the prior art.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is that of providing
a helmet for artificial respiration that can be worn even during
the sleep in a lying down position, especially when treating
diseases at the patient's home.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is that of providing
a helmet for artificial respiration that can be fitted onto the
head of the patient and subsequently removed in a simple and quick
manner by only one operator or by the patient himself.
[0011] Further object of the present invention is that of providing
a helmet for artificial respiration that can be fitted onto the
head of the patient in a simple and quick manner.
[0012] Another object is that of providing a helmet for artificial
respiration that allows eliminating the presence of armpit straps
or reducing the traction on the same to ease the discomfort of the
patient.
[0013] The objects according to the present invention are attained
by providing a helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of
face masks or tracheal tubes, with improved wearability as outlined
in the independent claims.
[0014] Further characteristics are provided for in the dependent
claims.
[0015] Characteristics and advantages of a helmet for artificial
respiration without the aid of face masks or tracheal tubes, with
improved wearability according to the present invention shall be
clearer from the following exemplifying and non-limiting
description, with reference to the attached schematic drawings
wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet for artificial
respiration without the aid of face masks or tracheal tubes, with
improved wearability, without the rigid structural elements;
[0017] FIG. 2 shows the helmet of FIG. 1 in position on the head of
the patient during the ventilation therapy;
[0018] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a neck collar with sliding closure of the
"coulisse" type for an artificial respiration helmet subject of the
present invention, respectively in open and closed position;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a helmet for artificial
respiration without the aid of face masks or tracheal tubes, with
improved wearability, provided with the neck collar of FIGS. 3 and
4 and provided with counterweights;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a helmet subject of the
present invention provided with a plurality of hooks for applying
counterweights.
[0021] Referring to the figures, shown is a helmet for artificial
respiration without the aid of face masks or tracheal tubes, with
improved wearability, indicated in its entirety with 10.
[0022] The helmet 10 comprises a body 12 for containing the head of
the patient and a neck collar 13, for fastening around the
patient's neck, made of plastic flexible material. Generally, the
container body 12 comprises at least one transparent front element,
not shown in the figures, to allow the patient to see through the
helmet.
[0023] The helmet 10 further comprises a plurality of fittings 14
fixed onto the container body 12 for connecting a ventilation
apparatus, not shown, and for connecting various accessories 15,
such as for example valves, filters, caps or a compensation
balloon. Furthermore, at least one of the fittings 14 allows the
exit of the air from the helmet 10.
[0024] The helmet 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is free of the rigid
structural elements, and thus it does not have a rigid or
semi-rigid ring. As a matter of fact, the neck collar 13 is
directly connected to a lower end of the container body 12. In this
manner, the container body 12 and the neck collar 13 are entirely
made of flexible material and thus free of rigid structural
elements.
[0025] This embodiment of the helmet 10 offers greater comfort for
the patient, in particular if the helmet is to be worn for long
periods of time and/or in a lying down position, such as when
sleeping. This is for example the case when treating the so-called
sleep apnea disorder, that is the apnea phenomena from which some
patients suffer during the phase of deep sleep, or the REM
sleep.
[0026] Eliminating the rigid or semi-rigid ring between the
container body and the neck collar implies eliminating the risk of
decubitus ulcers on the patient's nape and makes the helmet
suitable even for newborns or patients affected by the Down's
syndrome.
[0027] The container body 12 and the neck collar 13 may be
alternatively made in a single piece of the same material, or be
made of two different materials fixed to each other.
[0028] The neck collar 13 may be made of elastically yielding
plastic material, generally polyurethane, in order to form an
airtight seal around the patient's neck. Due to the effect of the
positive pressure inside the helmet during the ventilation therapy,
the neck collar swells on the patient's chest, acquiring the
configuration of FIG. 2. The container body 12 is instead generally
made of polyvinyl chloride.
[0029] However, should polyvinyl chloride for example be used for
the entire helmet, a neck collar 113 is advantageously provided
with a sliding closure device, the so-called coulisse. For example,
as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the neck collar 113 comprises a
substantially cylindrical sleeve 19 constrained at an upper end
thereof to the container body 12 and provided with a lower end of
the sliding closure device. The sliding closure device comprises a
circumferential pocket 16 made by joining the lower edge of the
sleeve 19, a cord 17 sliding into the pocket and a closure button
18 for firmly holding the two ends of the cord 17 in the desired
position, and subsequently loosening this constraint.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container body comprises at
least one pair of eyelets, or rings, 20 made of plastic material
fixed at opposite ends of the circumference of the container body
12 for the connection of the fastening elements 21 to discharge the
upward thrust to which the helmet is subjected due to the
ventilation therapy.
[0031] In the example of FIG. 2, the fastening elements 21 are made
up of two cushioned armpit straps, connected to a front ring 20 and
to an opposite ring, not shown.
[0032] Shown in FIG. 1 instead are two pairs of rings 20 arranged
at opposite points of the circumference of the container body
12.
[0033] The helmet 10 free of rigid structural elements may also be
provided with at least one pair of rings 120, fixed in an upper
portion of the container body 12, as shown in FIG. 5, for the
connection of the fastening elements 21.
[0034] The fastening elements 21 connected to the rings 20 or 120
to discharge the traction of the helmet, may also be connected to
fixed points with respect to the patient, such as for example the
bed rails, or also be constrained to counterweights 22 adapted to
counteract the upwards thrust on the helmet, as schematically shown
in FIG. 1.
[0035] Another important aspect of the helmet 10 according to the
present invention is that the neck collar 113 provided with sliding
closure, is suitable to be provided for on each type of
helmet--also for example on a helmet provided with a rigid ring 11
between the container body and the neck collar, such as the one
shown in FIG. 5, and regardless of the positioning--with other
components such as rings 20 and 120 or counterweights 22 on the
helmet.
[0036] The helmet 10 provided with neck collar 113 having a sliding
closure, is suitable to be worn by any patient, without requiring
providing for up to six different neck sizes. Furthermore, when the
neck collar 113 is at the open position (FIG. 3) it may be fitted
onto the head of the patient even by one person alone, such
operation not being possible when using traditional helmets, which
require to be widened and fitted by two people. Furthermore, it is
possible to remove the helmet 10 in an equally practical and quick
manner, a crucial aspect in cases where quick access to the patient
is required for the safety of the same.
[0037] Another aspect that characterises the helmet 10 according to
the present invention is the presence of at least one pair of
eyelets, or rings, 120 made of plastic material, fixed onto the
container body 12 in an upper portion for the connection of the
fastening elements 21 which allow discharging the upward thrust,
which can even reach 5-10 kg.
[0038] The rings 120 on the upper portion of the container body 12
may be applied to any of the types of helmets described, and
possibly also additionally to the pairs of rings 20 arranged
circumferentially on the container body 12.
[0039] The possibility of connecting the fastening elements 21 not
only to the patient, but also directly to the fixed points, such as
for example the bed rails, particularly by means of the rings 120
in upper position, represents a considerable improvement to the
comfort of the patient who can be relieved, maybe even only for
short periods of time, of the discomfort caused by the armpit
straps, which can cause decubitus ulcers in the most critical
cases.
[0040] Another aspect of the helmet 10 of the present invention
which improves the wearability of the same, is the presence of
means for constraining at least one counterweight 22 to counteract
the upward thrust of the helmet.
[0041] Due to the counterweights 22, of suitably calibrated weight,
the fastening elements 21 or the traction on the same may be
considerably reduced entailing a noticeable advantage.
[0042] The constraint means and the related counterweights can be
conceived for any type of the helmets described. Shown in FIG. 1
for exemplification purposes is a constraint means made up of a
ring 20, on which a counterweight 22 is hung.
[0043] Shown in FIG. 6, instead, are constraint means comprising a
hook 23 projecting outwards the helmet 10 and arranged on the
structurally rigid ring 11 arranged between the container body 12
and the neck sealing collar 13. In the shown example, each hook 23
comprises a pair of parallel arms, per for a firm positioning of a
counterweight 22. According to further embodiments, not shown, the
hooks may comprise more than two arms. Shown in FIG. 5 are four
counterweights 22 fixed onto the hooks 23. The counterweights 22
may be made up of substantially parallelepiped plates provided with
two through holes parallel and complementary to the parallel arms
of the hooks 23.
[0044] The helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of
face masks or tracheal tubes, with improved wearability subject of
the present invention has the advantage of being comfortable for
the patient even in presence of critical conditions. This makes it
advantageously possible to use the helmet even for patients in
determined critical conditions, in which the helmets are generally
not useable.
[0045] Furthermore, the helmet for artificial respiration without
the aid of face masks or tracheal tubes, with improved wearability
may be conceived and supplied to the users in only one size,
enhancing the warehouse management, and it can advantageously be
fitted onto the head of the patient in an easy manner even by only
one operator creating least discomfort to the patient.
[0046] The helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of
face masks or tracheal tubes, with improved wearability thus
conceived is susceptible to various modifications and variants, all
falling within the invention; furthermore all details can be
replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the
materials used, as well as the dimensions, may vary depending on
the technical requirements.
* * * * *